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Negotiating with Eyes Wide Open

Actor Michael Caine has an instructional video for new actors wanting to improve their craft. The one he showed on Late Night with David Letterman illustrated how to use your eyes to convey weakness or strength.

Caine first blinked his eyes rapidly, about 4-5 times a second. “This,” he says to the camera, “is how you show weakness.” Body language experts say a fast blink rate should lead you to question the person to see if they have something to hide – if they’re covering something up they don’t want you to see. In another context, the fast blink rate could be seen as flirtatious.

“To be seen as a force to be reckoned with,” Caine illustrated, “don’t blink. The longer you can hold your eyes open, the more intimidating you become. The more aggressive. Someone to be feared.” Like you’re able to penetrate someone’s soul.